Experts investigating the death of former Russian spy Alexander
Litvinenko have found radiation traces at 12 locations, British
Home Secretary John Reid said on Thursday.
Reid revealed that 24 locations including two British Airways
planes have been monitored, Sky news reported.
Litvinenko, an ex-KGB man who was a strong critic of Russian
president Vladimir Putin, died last week of radiation
poisoning.
Traces of the same radiation substance were found on two BA
planes on Wednesday. A third is being held in Moscow until it is
safe to return.
Reid said examinations had been carried out on a fourth plane
which is leased by Transaero and flew into Heathrow from Moscow on
Thursday morning, but was later cleared.
There have been concerns about a fifth plane, also a Russian
aircraft, he added.
BA is contacting some 33,000 passengers and 3,000 staff since
announcing on Wednesday night that "low levels of radioactive
traces" had been found on two of its aircraft at Heathrow Airport
in London.
A BA spokesman said the planes which had been flown between
London and Moscow were being examined because "individuals involved
in the Litvinenko case" had traveled on them.
The alert involves 221 flights within Europe made by the three
short haul 767s.
In a statement made to the public, the British Airways said it
has been advised that "this investigation is confined solely to
these three B767 aircraft, which will remain out of service until
further notice."
About 5,500 passengers have rung a BA helpline since the
radiation alert was issued on Thursday night, whereas some 1,700
calls have been made to the National Health Service following the
radiation scare.
Some 69 people have been referred to the Health Protection
Agency as a precaution. Of the 29 tested, none had worrying
results. Another 18 had been referred to specialist clinics,
according to Sky news.
(Xinhua News Agency December 1, 2006)
